Machine for repairing runs in hosiery and knitted fabric



Dec. 19, 1933. P, PFEIFFER 1,939,919

MACHINE FOR REPAIRING RUNS IN HOSIERY AND KNITTED FABRIC Filed Aug. 17, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l [i wz far P. PFEIFFER 1,939,919

MACHINE FOR REPAIRING RUNS IN HOSIEHY AND KNITTED FABRIC Dec. 19, 1933.

Filed Aug. 17, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 P. PFEIFFER V1,939,919

MACHINE FOR REPAIRING RUNS IN HOSIERY AND KNITTED FABRIC Dec. 19, 1933.

Filed Aug. 17. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 19, 1933V PATENT OFFICE MACHINE vFoa( REPAIRING RUNS `IN HosIERY AND KNITTED FABRIC Paul Pfeiffer, Chicago, Ill.

Y Application VAugust 17, 1931. Serial No. 557,461

11 Claims'. (C1. Iss- 1.5) v

This invention relates to improvements in a machine for repairing' runs in hosiery and knitted fabric. n

The machines appearing on the market for repairing runs in hosiery and in knitted fabric include several essential defects; in that the threads of the run are cut by the reciprocating needle; and besides, the fabric is inclined to stick to the feeding means, which is provided with an anti-slipping surface so as to positively advance the fabric,` in view of which the fabric fails to be releasedV or to pass properly from the feeding means when repaired. I t

It is the object and purpose of my invention to provide Van improved machine which will overcome all such defects, and Wherewith the threads of the run in the fabric `will be properly spaced and will be delivered positively one at a time to the looping needle without anyY cutting or tearlng thereof; and wherein `the fabric will be properly fed through the v'repairing mechanism and will be positively released therefrom.

Another Objectis to provide means in such a machine for uniformly feeding the. fabric, -an'd for grasping thefabric and positively lifting it from the feeding meansto prevent clinging thereto and also to stretch the fabric thereby.- I Still another object is to arrange the construction sothat the essential parts of the mecha"- nism for supporting and repairing the fabric will be completely assembled and mounted as a unit ony the machine, to provide forconvenient assembling of the parts and ready mounting'and dismounting thereof;

A further object is to provide a loopingfneedlev for use inv such `a machine, which hasv means thereon for automaticallymoving and for normally holding its latch open, to preventany cut-v.VV ting of the threads and to increase rthe' operating taken in 'connection with-the accompanyingy drawings, in which the invention is shownin its preferred form, it being understood that other 5 arrangements and forms of construction may be resorted to for carrying out the objects -and purposes of this'invention.

In the drawingsz Fig. 1 is alongitudinal vertical sectional view porting portion or neck `20 arises from the base of a fabric repairing machine embodying myin-A vention, shown in its preferred form of construction.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view, taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l, showing the fabric supporting head and the associated elements.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical ysectional view of the head and associated parts, and on a larger scale than that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig.- 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view thereof, taken online 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a plan view4 of the fabric supporting head andthe essential operating element carried thereby, adapted to be mounted as a unit on the machine. y

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side View, illustrating the two-step actuating means whereby the presser foot and the secondary presser roller are rst elevated while the main presser roller still rests on the feed roller.

` Fig., '7 is a view of the reciprocating member which delivers the threads of the run singly to the needle. l n

'Figs'. 8 ,ar1d 9 are enlarged views of the hook and latch portion of my improved looping needle.

lFig'si.land'll are enlarged detail views, partly, 893 in section, showing theneedle and the means for spacing and advancingthe threads of the run and for delivering the threads ,singlyto the needle.

An embodiment of my invention is illustrated inthe drawings in its preferred form of construction, in conjunction with a fabric repairing machine which comprises `a housing 15 for enclosing andfsupporting the various driving elements employed infthis machine. Said housing includes a lower'or base portion 16 wherefrorn'l arises a hollow` standardor uprightll havingl` a hollow arm 18 projecting horizontally from'its upper end,

s aid arm beingprovided with a bearing portion or knuckle 19 at theouter end thereof. A supportion 16,'T beneath the bearing knuckle 19.

A'f'abric supporting head or casing 21 is provided which carries and houses the essential elements for repairing `the runs in the` fabric, and 'isprovided with a readily removable top or cap 100 22, and is so arranged that these elements may be readily assembled therein to be'mountedtherewithas a-unit`on the supporting neck 20 of the machine. Inter-engaging portions are provided, including Van'innei portion 20' on the neck'and 105 outer portion 21 `on the casing or head, to position the casing properly below the bearing means 19, and pins or elements 23 are removably mounted in registering openingsprovided in portions 20 and 2l', tof provide forv convenient 110 mounting and dismounting of the casing on the machine.

This casing is arranged so that the stocking may be placed from either end thereon, and is therefore provided with a main outer receiving portion or end 24 and an inner receiving portion or end 25, or is made double-ended, substantially as shown in the drawings; in order that the stocking may be drawn thereon from either end, and the run in the stocking may be repaired by starting from either end of the run, which is especially desirable if a run extends upwardly and downwardly from an intermediate hole or opening in the stocking. The stocking can thus be readily applied first from one end of the casing and then from the other end, and the run can be readily repaired from one end thereof and then from the other end thereof toward the intermediate opening in said run, which is found to be of great advantage.

The looping needle 30 used herein is of an improved construction, including the hook 31 on its lower end and a latch 32 pivoted by a pin 33 between the fiange means 34 of theneedle, above said hook. A spring 35, which is preferably in the form of a leaf spring, is mounted between said flanges34, being secured at its upperend 35 to the needle and it has a portion 36 bowed or curved outwardly, and a portion 37 below said portion 36 engages latch 32 and normally retains the same frictionally in position. The lower end of said spring is curved outwardly at 38 to engage below the latch and automatically move it upwardly from the hook and hold it in the open position, as indicated in Figs. 8 to 11. This facilitates the prompt opening of the latch during the downward movement, as in Fig. 10, and the subsequent prompt grasping of the succeeding thread by the hook of the needle in its upward movement, said spring being tensioned so as to permit the thread of the loop which bears on the llatch to properly depress and close the same insaid upward movement. Y v i The meansrfor reciprocating or operating -the looping needle includes a shaft 40 wherein the needle is adjustably and removably carried, as by the use of a thumb screw 41. Said shaft is slidably mounted in a sleeve 42, being held in its depending position therein by meansof a spring 43, and being adapted to be elevated in said sleeve by the use of a lever 44 pivoted on said shaft and having a cam element 45 to be pressed down on the top of said sleeve forY holding said shaft and wardly, and hold it resiliently in position. Thel other end of said lever'is pivotally connected by means 51 toa bar 52 which is reciprocated by an eccentric 53 secured on a shaftv 54 rotated Vbyagear 55 thereon which meshes withfa pinion 562` on the drive vshaft 57 driven through suitable power. transmitting means vby the motor 58.". A

hand wheel or fly wheel 59 is also connected with shaft `57. v

. The essential operating elements which-are assembled in and carried by the head or casing 21, comprise a spacing member 61 for f uniformly spacing a comparatively large number of the threads which cross the run to be repaired. This spacing member is Vpreferably constructed in the form of a hollow shaft-like member which is oylindrical in shape and is rotatably mounted in. a bore provided in a lug 62 which depends from cap 22 of the casing, said bore and member extending at an inclination upwardly toward the needle. The upper or forward part of the member, adjacent the needle, is provided with thread means 63 around its exterior, which is in the form of a continuous screw thread or helical thread extending around said upper part. Said thread means 63 extends through an opening 64 provided in said cap and is placed in channel means 65 on the cap, whereby its threads or leads project partly above the cap and are adapted for supporting and for uniformly spacing a large number of the fabric threads which cross the run. A notch 66 is provided between lug 62 and means 65 onv the underside of cap 22, to enable seeing a mark provided on shaft means 61, so as to facilitate correct assembling and replacing vof the elements in the head 21, to assure proper operation of the machine.

The means for rotating the spacing member 61 comprises a gear 67 secured on the lower end of said member, said gear and said member being retained in proper position by a U-shaped bracket 68 secured underneaththe cap 22. Said gear is driven through an idler 6'7' by means of a gear 67" secured on a drive shaft69 journalled at its ends in the rounded outer and inner ends 24 and 25 of the casing. Said shaft is driven by a bevel pinion 70 secured thereon and driven by a bevel pinion '70 on a shaft 71 mounted in a bearing sleeve 72 provided in neck portion 20, and extending through said neck portion and carrying a gear 73 at its lower end, said gear '73 being driven by a gear 73 securedron a shaft 74 journalled in lugs 75 in the lower part 16 of the machine. Said shaft 74 is driven by meshing bevel gears '76 and 76', shaft 77 and gear 78, the latter being driven by the drive pinion 56.

Means is provided to operate in conjunction with the spacing meansv and to receive the foremost one of the'spaced threads, as it is discharged from the upper end of said spacing means, and to move or carry it forwardly overthe adjacenttop 'ranged' that finger 84 of stem 83 will pushithe thread forward betweenithe open latch 32 and hook end 31 of the ascending needle, whereby.

thek foremost thread asdischarged by member 63 is positively delivered intothe hook of the needle,

as is indicated has just been done lwith thread bin Fig. 11. 4

` AThe means for lreciprocating this thread delivering member in unison withY the reciprocation of the needle comprises a roller 86 journalledin jaw means 87 at the lower end of the stem. ThisA roller travels on the bevel'surface ofthe member 88 (see Fig. 3) which is secured on androtates with drive shaft 69said member havingV acamV element 89 thereon for periodicallyshiftingsaid roller and thereby sliding said stemfin sleeve member 61,:to move the foremost thread away from the spacing member and positively deliver.

it to the hook 31 of the needle during its reciprothe next thread b into the hook.

terior which'bears in bracket 68, (see Figs. 3 and 7) to prevent turning of stem 83 with the rotation of member 61.

By the use of my improved looping needle, as it descends with 1lthread a in its hook, (see Fig. 10), the latch will be automatically moved upwards and will then be readily opened fullyV as its point bears upon the succeeding cross thread b.; in the meantime, the thread a has become Seated .upon part 8l of the cap and it then necessarily bears underneath the descending latch, thereby forcing that fully upwards or open. By using the usual looping needles, it has been found that this rapid contact of 'the latch on `this thread, frequently cuts this thread in opening the latch ;.however, with my improved needle and itsv spring means the latch is'automatically given the initial opening movement, ihus making it easy for the cross thread to further move the latch fully open, and thereby entirely avoiding any r`cutting of any thread of the run, during repairing thereof on my improved machine. It also allows free entry of The means provided for feeding the fabric comprises a rotary member or roller 91 journalled by means of a shaft 92` in casing. 21. vThis roller is provided with an anti-slipping surface or exterior 93, which is preferably provided by knurling or roughening said surface, so that the fabric will be better engaged and steadily fed thereby. Said roller and shaft are driven by speed reducing gear means, as a gear 94'secured on shaft 92 and driven by a smaller gear 95 which is conneced with a gear 96 `driven by a smallergear 97 .connected with a worm gear 98 which is driven by a worm 99 secured on drive shaft 69.

vA presser roller 101, which has an anti-slipping Vexterior portion, such as rubber, is rotatablyV mounted by` a pin 102 in a yoke 103, to bear on and rotate with the feed roller 91 and to aid it in feeding the fabric which is positioned between said rollers. The yoke 103 is carried by a pair of shafts 104V which are slidably mounted in the lower part of bearingV means 19 and in adjusting nuts or sleeves 105 mounted in the upper part of said bearing means. Springs 106 surround the shafts, between said sleeves and collars 107 on the shafts, to urge shafts 104 and roller 101 downward, the pressure of the springs being adjustable by the adjusting nuts.

The knurled or anti-slipping surface 93 for feeding the fabric has a tendency to let the fabric,

' which is usually silk material, cling or stick thereto instead of separating freely from the feeding means when the run in the fabric has been repaired. I therefore provide means to positively release or take-off the repaired fabric from thel feeding means, and this take-off means preferably comprises a swingable member or rocker member 110 which includes two spaced plates secured together by-cross-pins 111, each plate having a slender part orfinger 112 at its upper or rear I end, andthe end portion of each finger fitting within one of a pair of grooves 113 provided around engaging on pivot means 115 and are rocked orV swung thereon by eccentric means 116 rotatable in said plaies and secured on a rocker shaft 117 v which is actuated by a gear 118 driven by a worm 119 which is secured on drive shaft 69. The upper part of each finger is knurled or roughened, as shown at 120, to securely engagethe fabric, and a small presser roller 121 is rotatably mounted in a yoke 122 which has its rear end pivoted on the pin 102 in yoke 103.Y Said roller thus bears on the fabric upon said fingers, whereby the fabric is grasped therebetween and is positively lifted and released from the feed roller.

Means is provided for operating these presser rollers 101 and 121 in sequence or in two-step manner, so that the smaller secondary roller 121 can be raised from therocker member 110 (see Fig. 6), while roller 101 still bears on feed roller 91, so as to facilitate placing and holding the fabric in proper positionl on the supporting. head or casing. Said operating means includes an angular plate or L-shaped member 124 having a presser foot 125 mounted on its vertical portion or leg`126, and said plate has a` neck 127-secured to the lower end of a stem 128 which is slidably mounted inthe lower part of Ibearing means 19 and is surrounded by a coil springv 129 to press said member 124 downwardly. A chain or flexible member 130 is secured tothe upper end of said stemv andextends over pulleys 131 in arm 18 and continues down through standard v17to be connected to the intermediate part of a lever 132, saidf lever having its shorter end pivoted at 133 to a lug 134 on the top 135 of the table or standV which supports this machine, and the lever has suitable means 136 attached to the longer end, so that the presser rollers and presser foot may be easily raised with a slight exertion by the foot of the operator. A spring 138 surrounds a 110 guide pin 139 arising from yoke 122 and moving in an opening provided in .the forward end of angular plate 124, so that roller 121 is4 held resiliently and can move upwardly during the rocking or swinging of member 110 with its ngers 112. Collars 140 are. secured on shafts 104, to be engaged by neck 127 as it ascends and thereafter to lift shafts 104 and yoke 103 along with the partly lifted yoke 122 and roller 121 and presser foot 125.

It should be noted from Fig. 4 that a space is provided between collars 140 and neck 127, so that the pull on chain 130 will first raise roller 121 and foot 125 from the fabric, and when said neck 127 reaches collars 140 then shafts 104 and 125 the attached yoke 103 with the main presser roller 101 Will also be raised upward from the fabric. This two-step operating means of the two presser rollers and the presser foot is of particular utility to facilitate placing the fabric properly on the machine and at the Sametime retaining it in position by the roller 101 alone bearing thereon.

I claim:

1. In a machine for repairing runs in fabric, means for feeding said fabric during the repairing operation, and means movable outwardly from the feedingmeans for thereafter lifting and positively releasing the fabric from said feeding means,

2. In a machine for repairing runs in fabric, means for feeding said fabric during the repairing operation, and means beyond said feeding meansto bear on the opposite faces of said fabric for grasping said fabric therebetween and positively lifting it from said feeding means and for stretching it in the direction of travel of the fabric.

3. In a machine containing a looping needle for repairing runs in fabric, means for uniformly feeding the fabric during the repairingl opera- 100 tion, means for uniformly spacing the threads of arun and for delivering them toward the needle, and companion means bearing on the opposite faces of the fabric for lifting the fabric from said feeding means and to positively release it therefrom and stretch the same.

4. In amachine for repairing runs in fabric, a fabricA feeding member having an anti-slip surface, and take-off means having means to enter said surface and engage theV fabric thereon and positively lift and release it from the'member.

5. In ya machine for repairing runs in fabric, afabric feeding member having an anti-slip surface, a take-off Vmember to positively release the fabric therefrom, presser means to bear upon the fabric on both of said members, 'and means to raise said presser means in succession from said two members.

6. In a machine for repairing runs in fabric, a. fabric feeding member, a take-off member to release the fabric therefrom, presser means including a pair of elements, one bearing on each ofy said members, a presser foot to bear on the fabric, and a two-step actuating means for first raising the presser foot and the elementv from the take-oifmember, and then raising the element from the feeding member.

'7. In a machine for repairing runs in fabric, a member having an anti-slip surface for uniformly feeding the fabric, a take-off'member to lift thefabric from said feeding member, presser means including an element to Vbear on each of said members, and a two-step actuating means whereby the element is raised from the take-off member and held raised therefrom while the other element still bears on the feeding member, to facilitate positioning the fabric properly in the machine.

8. In a machine for repairing runs in fabric and containing a looping needle, means for uniformly feeding the fabric during operation, means for uniformly spacing and advancing the threads of the run, means for delivering the spaced threads singly to the looping needle, and take-off means movable from the feeding means for lifting and releasing the fabric therefrom.

9. In a Vmachine containing a looping needle for repairing runs in fabrics, a head for supporting the fabric, means for uniformly spacing and delivering the threadsY to the needle, means for uniformly feeding the fabric, take-off means movable to lift the fabric from said feeding means, removable means on the head whereby the preceding means may be readily assembled in the head, and co-engaging means on said head and machine whereby the head and the carried means may be readily mounted as a unit on the machine and readily removed therefrom.

10. In a machine containing a looping needle for repairing runs in stockings, means cooperating with said needle for forming the loops in the run, and a double ended elongated supporting memberY having its longitudinal axis extending in the line of feed and including two opposite receiving ends to support the stocking and to enable applying it over either end for repairing the run therein by starting from either end thereof.

1l.v In a machine containing a looping needle for repairing runs in stockings, a substantially oval-shaped supporting casing having its longitudinal axis extending in the direction of the line of feed and including a receiving portion at the inner end and at the outer end thereof for receiving and supporting the stocking in either of two opposite directions for mending a run by starting from either end of the run, means mounted in the upper central portion of the casing to cooperate with said needle for repairing the runs, and operating means including .a shaft extending axially through said casing and having means connected therewith for driving the first said means.

' f PAUL PFEIFFER. 

